Wrapping machine and method



May 21, 1968 o. R. TITCHENAL. ETAL ,825

WRAPPING MACHINE AND METHOD l2 Sheets-Sheet 1 y 1968 o. R. TITCHENALETAL 3,383,825

WRAPPING MACHINE AND METHOD l2 Sheets$heet 2 Filed Oct. 8, 1964 May 21,1968 o. R. TITCHENAL ETAL 3,383,825

WRAPPING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed Oct. 8, 1964 May 21, 1968 o. R.TITCHENAL ETAL 3,383,825

WRAPPING MACHINE AND METHOD 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 8, 1964 May 21,1968 o. R. TITCHENAL. ETAL 3,383,325

WRAPPING MACHINE AND METHOD l2 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 8, 1964 May 21,1968 o. R. TITCHENAL ETAL 3,383,825

WRAPPING MACHINE AND METHOD l2 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Oct. 8, 1964 y 1968o. R. TITCHENAL ETAL 3,383,825

WRAPPING MACHINE AND METHOD 12 Sheets-Sheet '7 May 21, 1968 I o QRQrrrgHENA L ETAL 3, vqmrriue mcflma AND METHOD l2 Sheets-Sheet 8 FiledOct. 8, 1964 y 21, 1968 o. R. TITCHENAL ETAL 3,383,825

WRAPPING MACHINE AND METHOD 12 Sheets-Shegt 9 mwwm lll'lllll II II FiledOct. 8, 1964 y 1968 o. R. TITCHENAL ETAL 3,383,825

WRAPPING MACHINE AND METHOD 12 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Oct. 8, 1964 y 1968o. R. TITCHENAL ETAL 3,383,825

WRAPPING MACHINE AND METHOD l2 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Oct. 8, 1964 y 1968o. R. TITCHENAL ETAL 3,383,825

WRAPPING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed Oct. 8, 1964 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 UnitedStates Patent 3,383,825 WRAPPKNG MACHINE AND METHGD Oliver R. Titchenal,Upper Saddle River, N..l., Fred .iark,

Blauvelt, N.Y., William S. Coombes, Somerset, Mass,

and Waiter Rut, Spring Valley, N.Y., assignors to St.

Regis Paper Company, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York FiledOct. 8, 1964, Ser. No. 402,483 11 Claims. (Cl. 53-24) ABSTRACT OF THEDISQLOSURE This invention relates to a wrapping machine and method forwrapping a plurality of individual items into a single, unitizedpackage. In accordance with the present invention the individual itemsare initially compressed with a pre-determined compressive force andadvanced against a sheet of flexible wrapping material and hence alongasupport past a plurality of wrapping and securing members, with thepro-determined compression of the individual units being maintainedwhile the sheet of wrapping material is being wrapped and adheredthereabout to form a single wrapped package of said plurality ofindividual packages. Means are also provided for adjusting the positionof the machine of the wrapping material and selected wrapping andsecuring members to compensate for variances in dimension betweensuccessivelywrapped packages.

The foregoing Abstract of Invention is solely for the purpose ofenabling the Patent Ofiice and the public generally to determine quicklyfrom a cursory inspection the nature and guise of the technicaldisclosure, and the abstract shail not be used for interpreting thescope of the claims.

The present invention relates to packaging and more particularly to thesingle-ply packaging of a plurality of items by suitably applying asingle-ply wrapping sheet tightly about the items to be packaged so asto form a novel tight-wrapped single-ply shipping container or packagewherein the packaged items are formed into a sell-supporting, cellular,unitized structure.

Heretofore, problems have been encountered in packaging together aplurality of items such as frozen food containers, hour or sugar packetsand the like. It will be understood that for such items to be suitablywrapped by a sheet of flexible material for shipping, the items must becompressed together prior to wrapping to form a compact unit. Any playor looseness of adjacent packages results in damage to the packageand/or its contents. However, items such as the frozen food containerstend to vary in dimensions depending upon the particular contents of thepackage. Accordingly, when a plurality of these frozen food containersare collected as is done conventionally prior to wrapping with an outerflexible wrapping sheet and they are then wrapped by conventionalmethods and apparatus, the results have proved unsatisfactory. This wasdue to the variation in dimension of the packages when collected and thefixed wrapping elements of the conventional wrapping machine which mustbe set to the largest probable package grouping which inevitablyresulted in some play or looseness between adjacent containers in thewrapped package, resulting in substantial damage to the wrapped packageand in contents in storage and shipping. Accordingly, frozen foodcontainers are normally shipped in rigid corrugated-board containerseven though this method of packaging is costly.

Similar problems are encountered with the wrapping of flour or sugarpackets together for storage and shipping.

"ice

These items, because of the nature of the material, when compressed tendto take the shape of their particular container or bag. However, sinceflour, sugar and the like tend to settle differently package-to-packageor batch-to-batch, attempts to tightly wrap and ship these items infiexible outer wraps, such as bags, have also been unsuccessful since,employing conventional wrapping methods and apparatus with its fixedwrapping elements, a tight outer wrap could not be achieved and theflour or sugar packets generally arrive at their destination withcrushed or dogeared corners, making for an unattractive store shelfappearance.

The present invention provides a solution to these problems. Asdescribed hereinabove, groups of frozen food packages as packed andfrozen, may vary rather considerably in size and, of course, thus cannotbe compressed without melting them, except to a very limited degree andyet it is desired to wrap them tightly in a finished package. Likewise,in packaging groups of small bags of flour or sugar and the like, due todifferent conditions and different degrees of settling, the group as awhole cannot very well be compressed to a pre-determined size and thustightly Wrapped.

The present invention provides the solution by providing mechanism tocompress the items to be packaged to a variable dimension or senseddimension corresponding to a pre-determined compressive force to formthe items into a self-supporting celiular structure and maintaining theitems in such self-supporting cellular structure while wrapping asingle-ply sheet of flexible wrapping material such as paper thereabout.Likewise to form and wrap such sheet properly about the compresseditems, the positions of the wrapping material and the wrapping andsecuring elements of the machine are also adjusted relative to the lineof travel of the items in the wrapping machine in response to the sensedcompressed dimension. Thus there is achieved, by means of the presentinvention, a novel, tightly-wrapped single-ply shipping container foritems which have been formed into a self-supporting cellular unitizedstructure.

In accordance with one form of the present invention a plurality ofpackages are compressed sideways under a predetermined pressure betweena cylinder-actuated pressure plate and a back-up plate. The pressureplate compresses the plurality of packages until it exerts apredetermined force on such packages. The amount of travel of suchpressure plate, and thus the width of the wrapped package, Will vary, ofcourse, depending on the nature of the items being compresed. When thispro-determined force has been exerted by the pressure plate, a secondcylinder-actuated pusher plate, disposed at right angles to the pressureplate, then is activated to push the group of compressed packagesthrough the first section of the wrapping machine and against avertically-suspended wrapping sheet, so that the sheet folds around thegroup in a generally U-shaped configuration. As the pusher platecontinues to advance, the group of packages is advanced between suitableadhesive applying and flapfolding means, whereby flap portions of thewrapping sheet which extend outwardly on either side of the group arefolding into sealing contact with the side walls thereof. Upon furtheradvance of the pusher plate, the group of packages is adapted to becompressed lengthwise between the pusher plate and a back-up platelocated at a transfer station. Upon completion of the lengthwisecompression step, a transfer cylinder is actuated to push thepartially-wrapped group of packages at right angles to their originalpath into the second wrapping section of the machine, whereupon suitableadhesive applying and flap folding means are adapted to fold the flapportions or the wrapper sheet which extend rearwardly of the group, intosealing contact with the rear wall thereof to complete the package.

During the entire travel of the packages through the wrapping machine,the original compression of the packaged items is maintained. Thus, asthe package passes through the folding and sealing portions of themachine, the packages pass between side members spaced apart the samedistance as the compressed width of the packages. Likewise, thecompressed packages pass beneath biased top members maintian compressiveforce on the packages in a vertical direction also, during wrappingthereof.

As described generally hereinabove, the present invention is furthercharacterized by the provision of means for adjusting the position, inthe wrapping machine, of the wrapping material and selected wrapping andsecuring elements relative to the line of travel of the items throughthe wrapping sections of the machine in response to the sensed orcompressed dimension. Thus, in one of the forms of the machine of thepresent invention, structure is provided whereby thevertically-suspended Wrapping sheet and certain of the adhesive-applyingand flapfolding means, associated with first flap-sealing path describedabove, are adapted to be automatically positioned with respect to theparticular sensed compresed width of the group of packages then beingwrapped, thereby compensating for any variance in side dimension orwidth between successively-wrapped groups of packages. A suitablelinkage, such as a rack and pinion, is employed to interconnect thepressure plate with the wrapping sheet trough or support, theadhesive-applying support means and the flap-folding support means toeffect appropriate movement of these elements in response to theparticular amount of movement of the pressure plate so that eachcompleted package will be tightly wrapped with the wrapping material andhave uniform and properly adhered side flaps.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention, the completed packagecomprises a novel shipping container of plurality of individual packagespre-compressed together to form a self-supporting, cellular, unitizedstructure and having tightly wrapped thereabout a sheet of single-plyflexible material. The novel container of the present invention is lesscostly than either corrugated board boxes or pre-formed bags and, infact, due to the self-supporting unitized cellular configuration of thecontents thereof, is more desirable since the contents thereof survivestorage and shipping, arriving at their destination in better conditionthan heretofore.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be obvious herefromor may be learned by practice with the invention, the same beingrealized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinationspointed out in the appended claims.

The foregoing general description and the following detailed descriptionare exemplary and explanatory, but are not restrictive of the invention.

Of the drawings illustrating by way of example preferred embodiments ofthe invention and wherein like numerals designate like parts:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the machine of the present inventionwith portions thereof illustrated schematically;

FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the machine of the present invention atthe start of the wrapping operation;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 33, FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4, FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 55, FIG. 2; i

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along line 66, FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the operation of theflap sealing means;

FIG. 8 is partial plan view of the machine of the present inventionillustrating the section of the machine for completing the wrappingoperation;

FIG. 9 is side elevational view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a partial plan view of the pressure applying means andassociated mechanism;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the compressionstation;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the successive steps in the wrappingoperations of the machine of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a suitable wrapping sheet blank which may beemployed with the present invention;

FIG. 13a is a side elevation of the partially-Wrapped package,illustrating the side seal arrangement;

FIG. 13b is an end elevation of the completed package illustrating inthe end seal arrangement;

FIG. 14 is plan view of the first wrapping section of a modified form ofthe mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a side elevation, partially in section taken along line 1515,FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an end sectional view similar to FIG. 4, and illustratinganother modified form of the mechanism of the present invention.

General description Referring to FIGS. 13, a plurality of packagesdesignated P which may be, for example, sugar or flour packets, frozenfood containers, or the like, are positioned on a support plate 12 at areceiving station S of the wrapping machine, designated generally 10.

With packages P positioned at station S as shown in FIG. 1, the operatoractuates a suitable switch (not shown), energizing double-acting aircylinder 14, extending piston rod 16 thereof. The free end of rod 16 isprovided with a compression plate 18 adapted to being a compressiveforce to bear against the end of the row of packages P when cylinder 14is actuated (see FIG. 1).

To achieve the desired compressive force on packets P, the air pressureto cylinder 14 is regulated to a selected figure; such as 70 p.s.i.Knowing the size of cylinder 14 and the pressure actuating it, it can bereadily determined the amount of compressive force being brought to bearby plate 18 on the packets P. It will be understood that with the airpressure regulated to the selected figure, in each instance, plate 18exerts the same force on packets P at station S as described in detailhereinbelow. However, the distance travelled by plate 18 will depend onthe nature of the particular material in packets P. Thus, in order toexert the selected compressive force, plate 18 will have to travelfurther against packets P when the contents thereof are readilycompressible than will be the case when the contents of packets P areless readily compressible.

With packets P thus compressed with the desired force, a seconddouble-acting air cylinder 20 is actuated by the operator extending itspiston rod 22. The free end of rod 22 is, in turn, provided with apusher plate 24 which, when cylinder 20 is actuated, pushes or advancesthe row of compressed packets P in the direction of arrow A, FIG. 1, outof the receiving zone S and against a sheet or blank or wrappingmaterial W, which is preferably a single-ply paper sheet, disposedvertically in the path of travel of packets P with a portion of sheet Wdisposed beneath support 12 in an opening 26 between station S and thefirst wrapping section F of machine 10. The continued extension of rod22, advances the row of packets P against the sheet of wrapping materialW and into the first wrapping section F of the machine 10.

As packets P are advanced by red 22 into wrapping section F, sheet W isdraped about packets P into a generally U-shaped configuration bypassage between a pair of spaced support plates 27, 29 in section F andan upper spring-biased compression plate 28. With blank or sheet W thusdraped about packets P in a generally U-shaped configuration, thepackets are advanced by rod 22 along plates 27, 29 into and through thefirst wrapping section F.

As partially-wrapped packets P are moved into section F, the row ofpackets P are moved between a pair of spaced plows 30 and 32 folding theend flaps 34 and 36 of blank W against their respective sides of the rowof packets P.

The continued advance of the row of partially-wrapped packets P throughwrapping section F accomplished the enclosing of packets P on fivesides. As the row of packets moved past plows 30, 32, the bottom flaps38 and 40 of blank W are folded upwardly against tucked-in end flaps 34and 36 respectively. This is accomplished, in this particularembodiment, by passage of flaps 38 and 40 upwardly along the inclinedcam faces 41 and 43 of their associated plows 42 and 44 respectively aspackets P are advanced by rod 22 through section F (see FIGS. 1 and 3).

As flaps 38 and 40 are being folded against end flap 34, the top flaps46 and 48 of blank W have adhesive applied to their respectiveunderfaces by passage with packets P through the zone of operation oftheir respective adhesive-applying devices 50 and 52.

The final closure of packets P in section F is accomplished by foldingdownwardly of flaps 46 and 48 and securing them againstpreviously-folded end flaps 38 and 40 respectively.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 11, this is accomplished by. passage offlaps 46 and 48 downwardly along the inclined cam faces 53 and 55 oftheir associated plows 54 and 56 respectively as packets P are movedtherepast. Folded-down flaps 46 and 48 are then travelled pastassociated rotatable pressure members 58 and 60 which are adapted toapply sealing pressure against the adhesive zone on flaps 46 and 48.Members 58 and 60 as shown in FIG. 1 are freely rotatable and arerotated by contact with packets P moving therepast to apply sealingpressure against the adhesive Zone on flaps 46 and 48. However, ifdesired, members 58 and 60 could be positively driven from one of themachine drive systems described hereinbelow for positive contact betweenmembers 58 and 60 and their associated flaps 46 and 48.

As will be noted best in FIG. 1, as packets P are travelled throughsection F they pass beneath top pressure plate 28, second top pressureplate 62 aligned with plate 28 and a plurality of top pressure elements64, all of which are spring-biased to exert a vertical compressive forceon packets in section F, thereby ensuring a proper, tightly-wrappedpackage.

In order to ensure a proper, tight wrap of blank W about compressedpackages P, the wrapping and adhesiveapplying members of the embodimentof FIG. 1, associated with support plate 27, are movably mountedrelative to their opposite number in section F as described hereinbelow.These members move in response to the inward movement of plate 18 toproperly align such members to tightly wrap blank W about the packages Pmoving therepast. In like manner, the blank supporting means, describedin detail hereinafter, also is movable in response to the movement ofplate 18 to proper position blank W for tight wrapping about packages P.

As rod 22 reaches the limit of its travel, packets P are advancedthereby to transfer station T for transfer to the second wrappingsection G of machine 10 disposed generally transverse to section F.

At station T, packets P are positioned on a stationary support table 66against a resiliently-mounted wall 67 and beneath a spring-biased coverplate 68 supported by stop plate bracket 70 on table 66. Rod 22 isoperative to compress packages P against wall 67 prior to its retractioninto cylinder 20.

When rod 22 has been retracted by cylinder 20, cylinder 72 is actuatedto extend rod 74 thereof, moving pack- 6 ets P from transfer station Tinto wrapping section G. As rod 74 is extended, plate 76 mounted on thefree end thereof is adapted to engage the end of partially-enclosedpackage P at the side thereof formed by folded flaps 38 and 40 asdescribed heretofore and move packets P into section G.

Simultaneously with the engagement of the packets P by plate 76, a plowelement 78 thereon folds the overlapped portions of flaps 38 and 46which extend beyond the end of packets P into position against theunenclosed portion of these packets. In like manner, as the packets aremoved into section G by rod 74, the overlapped portions of flaps 40 and48 which extend beyond the ends of packets P are folded thereagainst bymovement past plow 79 disposed in the path of travel thereof as thepackets P are advanced therepast into wrapping section G.

Packets P, upon entry into section G by transfer rod 74, are movedthereby into conveyor system, designated generally 80, which in theembodiment shown in FIG. 1 included a lower endless belt 82, adapted totravel about spaced pulley rollers 84, 86. Conveyor system 80 alsoincludes an upper pair of spaced endless belts 90, 92 adapted to travelabout upper pulleys 94, 96 and 98, 100 respectively. Belts 82, 90 and 92are adapted to cooperate in advancing packets P through wrapping sectionG wherein the final wraps are made in blank W and from whence thecompleted package is delivered.

Upon engagement of packets P by conveyor system 80, the packets P areadvanced thereby through section G in the direction of arrow B, FIG. 1,which is transverse to their direction of travel through section F.

As packets P are advanced through section G, lower end flap 102 of blankW is folded upwardly against packets P by plow 104 disposed in the pathof travel of end flap 102 and provided with an inclined cam surface 106for upwardly folding flap 102 against packets P. (See FIGS. 8 and 9.)

Simultaneously with the upward folding of bottom end flap 102, top endflap 108 has adhesive applied to the underface thereof by passage pastadhesive-applying device 110. Continued advance of packets P throughsection G brings top end flap 108 into engagement with plow element 112disposed in the path of travel thereof. Cam surface 114 of plow 112 isoperative to fold top end flap 108 downwardly into overlayingrelationship with bottom end flap 102 against the ends of packets P,thus completing the enclosure of the compressed packets P by blank W.

To ensure adhesion of top end flap 108, the overlying end flaps 102 and108 are travelled past an associated rotatable pressure member 116 whichmay be similar in construction and operation to members 58 and 60 insection F and which is adapted to apply sealing pressure against theadhesive zone on flap 108. This completes the formation of thetightly-wrapped finished package 8 which is delivered to deliverystation D in section G by conveyor system.

It will be understood that during their travel through section G, also,the compressive force on packets P have been maintained by confining thepackets P between plow elements 104 and 112 and spring-biased wall 118spaced therefrom while spaced conveyor belts 82, 90 and 92 maintainvertical pressure on the packets P.

Thus, the finished package 8 comprises a plurality of self-supportingpackets P pre-compressed into a cellular, unitized structure and coveredby a tightly-wrapped, single-ply sheet of wrapping material W, suitablyfolded and adhered thereabout.

Compression, pusher and bridging mechanisms As described generallyhereinabove, packages P at station S are compressed with a predeterminedforce by means of a pressure plate 18. Plate 18 is mounted for movementon the end of rod 16 of master cylinder 14 and supported by a pair ofspaced support shafts 120 7 and 122 mounted in bearings 124 and 126respectively on plate 128 of the main machine frame.

Cooperating with pressure plate 18 on the other side of station S is aback-up plate 130 adapted to provide the stationary force against whichmovable plate 18 compresses packages P. Back-up plate 130 is alsomounted on the free end of a piston rod 132 of an air-actuated cylinder1134. Plate 130 is additionally supported by a pair of spaced supportshafts 136 and 138 mounted in bearings 140 and 142 respectively on plate144 of the main machine frame. Air cylinder 134 is normally-actuated byair under pressure to about the selected pressure to be used inactuating cylinder 14. Thus, back-up plate 130 exerts an almost equaland opposite resistance force to plate 18 ensuring proper compression ofthe packages P when cylinder 14 is actuated. However, in each instancethe pressure to cylinder 134 should be less than the pressure tocylinder 14, for reasons set forth hereinbelow.

As shown best in FIG. 2, pusher plate 24 is connected to the free end ofrod 22 by a pair of spaced elongated mounting members 146 and 148 whichin turn are each connected to a cross-bracket 150 fixed to the free endof rod 22 as at 151. This extension of rod 22 moves plate 24 in thedirection of arrow A to advance the compressed packets P from station Sinto and through section F of machine 10.

Preferably, plate 24 is mounted slightly above plate 12 and there isincluded in the supporting means for plate 24 a pair of spaced slidingshoe members such as nylon shoes 152 and 154 fixed to the rear face 155of plate 24 by brackets 156 and 158 respectively. Shoes 152 and 154 arein sliding contact with plate 12 and plates 27 and 29 respectivelyduring the movement of plate 24 through section F by rod 22 therebyfacilitating such movement.

To maintain the compression on packets P during the travel thereof fromstation S into confinement between plows 30, 32 bridging means areprovided to confine packets P and they are advanced by pusher plate 24past blank W and into section F of machine 10. This bridging meansincludes a pair of bearing plates 160 each of which is fixed to anassociated mounting plate 162. Mounting plates 162 are each providedwith a pair of spaced keyways 164, 166 adapted for sliding travel alongthe upper end lower edges respectively of an associated key plate 168.One key plate 168 in turn is fixed to plate 18 while the other key plate168 is fixed to plate 130 as shown best in FIG. 4.

It will be understood that as rod 16 is extended plates 18 and 130 exertthe desired compressive force on packages P through bearing plates 160which are in actual contact with the packages P.

Bearing plates 160 are adapted to move with packets P until saidpackages are moved between plows 30 and 32. To accomplish such movementof plate 160, members 146 and 148 adjacent the ends thereof remote fromplate 24 each have mounted thereon a bridge actuating arm 170 pivotallymounted to its associated member 146 or 148 on a stud pin 172 positionedadjacent the mid-point of arm 170. A spring member 174 urges itsassociated arm 170 into position against a stop pin 176 on associatedmember 146 or 148.

In operation, as pusher plate 24 and its related mechanisms are advancedby extension of rod 22, the end 178 of each arm 170 is adapted to engagean associated catch 180 on their respective plate 162. As rod 22continues to extend, each arm 170 urges its associated engaged catch 180and plate 162 in like direction, sliding plate 162 and bearing plates160 along their associated key plates 168, thus maintaining confinementtherebetween packages P.

When packages P reach plows 30, 32, it is necessary to interrupt furtheradvance of plates 160 along therewith. To accomplish this, each arm 170is provided at the end thereof remote from end 178 with a roller element182.

8 When plates reach their limit of desired travel with packages P,rollers 182 are adapted to engage a trip 181 on cross-bracket 184disposed above members 146 and 148 and in the path of travel of rollers182. Engagement of rollers 182 with trip 181 on cross-bracket 184operates to pivot arms about pins 172 and against the action of springs174. This raises end 178 of each arm 170 out of contact with itsassociated catch 180, thereby disengaging plates 160 from furtheradvance with pusher plate 24. (See FIGS. 2 and 9.)

When rod 22 is retracted as described hereinbelow, plates 160 arereturned to operative position at station S by engagement between one ofthe extensions 186 on each member 146, 148, and an associated catch 188on each plate 162.

Adhesive applicator The adhesive-applying devices 50, 52 and 110referred to hereinabove are substantially identical in construction andoperation except as noted hereinbelow. Accordingly in the interests ofbrevity only one such device; namely applicator 50, shall be describedherein in detail with like parts thereof in devices 52 and 110 bearinglike reference numerals in the drawings.

Device 50 includes an adhesive reservoir 190 mounted on a supportbracket 192 mounted as described hereinbelow, it being understood thatbracket 192 of device 52 is mounted on plate 29 while bracket 192 ofdevice 110 is mounted on a support plate 194 of an extension of the mainmachine frame.

Each adhesive applying device as shown in FIG. 2 includes a pair ofupper and lower flap guides 196, 198 which directed the flap to whichadhesive is to be applied into the zone of adhesive application aspackages P are advanced therepast. To apply the adhesive to theparticular flap, there is mounted in each reservoir 190, an adhesiveapplying member which as illustrated in FIG. 5 may include a pluralityof rotatable applicator members 200 mounted on a drive shaft 202 fortravel into and out of the adhesive pool 204 in reservoir 190. Members200 extend through an accommodating opening 206 in the top of reservoir190 to contact the underface of a flap of blank W moving therepast. Inorder to ensure proper contact between the flap and rollers 200, anadjustable spring element 208 is adapted to resiliently bear against theside of the fiap remote from rollers 200, thereby facilitating theproper application of adhesive thereto by members 200.

Devices 50, 52 and 110 also include an adhesive feed and heating unitwhich comprises a pair of opposed adhesive feeding rollers 210 betweenwhich the strip 212 of adhesive is disposed, the adhesive being storedin strip form on a suitable supply roll 211 mounted on the machineframe. Rollers 210 are mounted on associated bracket 192 and drivenalong with rollers 200 as described hereinbelow to feed the strip ofadhesive into reservoir 190. Before the strip 212 passes into reservoir190 it is fed by rollers 210 into heater unit 214 which melts strips 212into liquid form in which form it is contained in reservoir 190 forapplication by rollers 200 to the particular flap of blank W.

Suitable hot-melt strips adhesive for use with the adhesive-applyingdevices hereinabove described may be obtained commercially from the B.B. Chemical Division of United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Cambridge,Mass, under the trade designation Thermogrip.

It will be understood that other fast-setting thermoplastic adhesivesand applicators may be employed to apply adhesive suitably to the flapsof blank W. Likewise, blanks having thereon a pre-applied adhesivepattern may be used with the present invention without adverse effect.In such case, devices 50, 52 and 110 are replaced by suitable devicessuch as heaters, for properly activating the particular adhesive appliedto blank W.

Blank mounting and support means Blanks W are preferably individuallyfed by the machine operator for a storage rack 215. The sheets areindividually fed into a receiving trough 216 and thence into a carrierframe 218 disposed in the path of travel of packages P as they advancefrom station S into wrapping section F. As shown best in FIGS. 3, 4,frame 218 is positioned in the accommodating opening 26 between table 12and support plates 27, 29. Frame 218 is provided with an appropriateopening or window 222 therein to permit passage therethrough of thecompressed packages P and against blank W. Frame 218 is supported at itslowermost end on spaced rollers 220 in the machine and secured to theupper stretch 224 of an endless cross-cable 226 by means of brackets225. Cable 226, in turn, is supported at each end of a pulley 228 and230. Cable 226 is fixed to pulley 230 so that rotation of pulley 230travels the upper stretch 224 of cable 226 back or forth, thereby movingframe 218 on rollers laterally in opening 26 for reasons hereinabove setforth.

Preferably, frame 218 and blank W are so dimensioned that equal portionsof blank W are disposed above and below window 222. This ensures thatwhen blank W is draped about package P advanced therepast by rod 22, aneven U-shape fold is made thereabout with end flaps 102 and 108substantially coterminous. To accomplish this frame 218 is provided witha pair of upper and lower rollers 232 and 234 mounted in suitablebearing in accomodating opening 236 and 238 respectively for engagementwith a blank W in frame 218.

Upper rollers 232 are connected together by means of cross-shaft 240which lower rollers 234 are joined to gether for common rotation bycross-shaft 242. Shafts 24b and 242 are provided at one end thereof witha suitable sheave 244 and 246 respectively interconnected by cross-drivebelt 248. In operation, as blank W is being draped about packages P asthey advance through window 222 into section F, the blank W rotatesupper and lower roller 232 and 234 in contact therewith. Since rollers232 and 234 are in driving interconnection by means of sheaves 244 and246 and belt 248, these rollers are rotated in synchronism to ensureuniform feed-out of blank W through window 222 and about packages P.

Preferably, the tension in belt 248 is suitably adjusted such thatrollers 232 and 234 apply some braking or tension force equally on theends of the blank W as it is fed out to ensure a tight disposition ofblank W about the packages. If desired other suitable braking means maybe employed without adverse effect.

Supporting and operating means f r movable folding and adhesive-applyingmembers As described hereinabove, certain of the Wrapping and adheringelements are movably mounted for movement toward their opposite numberin response to the movement of plate 18 in compressing packages P atstation 5.

To accomplish this, there is fixed to a bracket 25%} downwardlydepending therefrom as shown in FIG. 4. Bracket 250 includes a racksection 252 having teeth 254 in meshing engagement with a cooperatingpinion gear 254 mounted on and rotatable with main drive shaft 256supported in suitable bearings 258 on the machine frame. (See FIG. 3.)

To adjust the position of plow 3t), 43, 54 and pressure roller 58, allof which are supported on table 27, shaft 256 is provided withadditional pinions 26% and 262 which are in meshing engagement withrelated rack sections 264 and 266 respectively secured to brackets 268and 279 depending from the underface of table 27. Brackets 268 and 270are each provided roller elements 272 and 274 respectively adapted totravel in an associated channelshaped member 276 and 278 secured to anunderplate 28d} of the machine frame to which plate 29 is secured (seeFIG. 6).

In operation, as bracket 250 is travelled inwardly against the side ofpackages P at station S during the compression operation with plate 18,pinion 254- in meshing engagement with rack section 252 thereof, rotatesshaft 256 an amount corresponding to the inward movement of plate 18.Since pinions 260 and 262 are also fixed to shaft 256, these members arerotated a corresponding amount in like manner. However, this rotation ofpinions 26d and 262 effects travel of their associated brackets 268 and276 in their related channels 276 and 278 thereby moving plate 27secured thereto and plows 3t), 43, 54 and pressure roller 58 mountedthereon, a like distance toward their opposite numbers. It will beunderstood that upon interruption of movement of plate 18, movement ofthese members is likewise interrupted. In the embodiment of FIGS. l-ll,it has been found preferable to move only one such set of wrappingelements. Thus, pinions 26d and 262 are equal in diameter and number ofteeth to pinion 254 while racks 252, 264 and 266 of like construction tomove their related elements a distance equal to the distance moved byplate 18 during the compression of packages P.

Turning to FIG. 5, there is illustrated the means for adjusting theposition of adhesive-applying device 50. This means includes anotherpinion gear 281 mounted on shaft 256. Gear 281 in turn is in meshingengagement with a rack member 232 secured to a bracket 284 provided withrollers 286 for lateral movement in channelshaped bracket 288 secured tounderplate 280 with support 192 of device 58 mounted on a plate 290carried by bracket 284. Thus, when shaft 254 is rotated as plate 18compresses packages P, pinion 281 is also rotated travelling bracket 284in channel 288, moving adhesive-applying device 59 toward its oppositemember 52. However, since the adhesive is preferably applied the samedistance in from the edge of flaps 46 by device 50, pinion 281 is onlyone-half the diameter of the other pinion gears so as to move device 50only one-half the distance that the folding and securing elements aremoved.

Further, as described hereinabove, frame 218 is provided with brakets225 secured to cable 226 which in turn is fixed to pulley 230. As shownbest in FIG. 4, pulley 230 is secured to and is rotatable with shaft254. Thus, as the shaft 254 is rotated as described heretofore, pulley238 is likewise rotated moving cable 226 laterally to adjust theposition of frame 218 in opening 26. Again, since it is desirable toform equal width side flaps, pulley 239 is one-half the diameter ofpinion 252 so that frame 218 moves only one-half the distance that thefol-ding and securing elements move.

fvlacliine drive means The drive means of the present invention includesin tho first wrapping section F, a. suitable source of power such aselectric motor 299 in driving connection with a cross-shaft 292 by meansof sprockets 294, 296 and chain 298. Shaft 292 is carried by a bearinghub 300 fixed to the underface of plate 280 as shown in FIG. 5 andcarried in suitable bearings 392 at each end of shaft 292 secured to themain machine frame (see FIG. 5).

Secured to each free end of shaft 292 is a sprocket 391 respectively indriving engagement with a sprocket 396 on the shaft 202 of rollerelements 200 of its associated adhesive-applying device 50 or 52 bymeans of chain 303.

To rotate glue feed roll 210, shaft 202 is provided with a secondsprocket 308 in driving connection by means of chain 310 with a sprocket312 on the input shaft of electric clutch 314 upon whose output shaft ismounted one of the feed roll 210. Thus, actuation of the electric motor298, glue strip 212 is fed into its associated heater unit 214 atreservoir as described hereinbelow while applicator elements 280 arerotated in reservoir for appreciation of adhesive to a flap movingtherepast.

In section G, there is provided a second source of power, such as motor316, in driving engagement with means of chain 320 a cross-shaft 313supported in suitable bearings in the machine frame. Shaft 318 issecured to pulley roller 86 of belt 82, thereby connecting motor 316 indriving engagement with belt 82.

In like manner, motor 316 drives upper belts 9t) and 92. Shaft 318includes another sprocket 324 thereon about which travels one end of achain 326. The other end of chain 326 is disposed about a sprocket 328on shaft 330 rotatably carried by bracket 332 on support plate 334 ofthe machine frame upon which end Wall 67 is secured. Shaft 330 alsoincludes a gear element 336 in meshing engagement with a gear element338 on a second shaft 340 rotatably carried by bracket 332. Shaft 340 inturn includes a sheave 342 thereon about travels one end of a belt 344-,the other end of belt 344 disposed about pulley 346 on shaft 348 towhich upper belt pulleys 98 and 169 are secured. Thus motor 316 isoperative to drive conveyor system 80 to deliver packages P in section Gto delivery station D.

In like manner, motor 316 is in driving connection with adhesiveapplying device 110 by means of single sprocket 350, double sprocket 352and chains 354 and 356 with chain 356 adapted to drive sprockets 306 and308 of device 110 as described heretofore in connection with devices 50and 52.

Brake means It will be understood that as compressed packages P moveinto wrapping section F and into confinement between the opposed plOWelements thereof, packages P tend to exert a reactive force againstthese confining elements. Therefore, since certain of the plow elementsare movably mounted, it is necessary to provide means on the movablemembers for resisting such reactive force. This means includes a bracket353, depending downwardly from movable plate 27. A pair of opposed aircylinders 360 at 362 mounted on crossmembers 364- and 366 of the machineframe are each adapted upon actuation just prior to entry of packages Pinto section F to engage bracket 358, holding bracket 358 and itsassociated plate 27 and movable plow elements in position during thewrapping operation of the machine in section F.

In like manner, wall 67 is locked in position as packages P are urgedthereagainst to prevent rebound thereof by the springs 119. Toaccomplish this, air cylinder 359 is provided having a braking disk 357on the free end of its piston rod 361 adapted to frictionally engage acooperation disk 363 on wall support 365 when cylinder r 359 is actuatedthereby locking mounting frame 118 of wall 67 in position, preventingbackward movement of wall 67.

Blank Blank W is preferably formed as shown in FIG. 13, with three mainpanels 368, 370 and 372 in addition to side flaps 34, 36, 38, 48, 46 and48, end flaps 102 and 108, said main panels, side flaps and end flapsbeing separated by imaginary lines along which the blank will besubsequently folded during the forming of the completed package 8 asdescribed hereinabove.

To facilitate folding and to achieve the desired side seals as shown inFIG. 1311, blank W is additionally provided with side slits 374 and 376.As shown, slits 374 and 376 are spaced from adjacent line 371 within theconfines of their associated side panels 48 and 46 respectively. In thismanner, the desired side seal arrangement (FIG. 13a) is achieved.

In like manner, end flap 108 is provided with spaced slits 382 tofacilitate folding and to achieve the desired end seal shown in FIG.13b. As shown, slits 382 are spaced from their adjacent lines 371 withinthe confines of end flap 108. In this manner, the desired end sealarrangement (FIG. 13b) is achieved.

As shown best in FIGS. 13:: and 13b, the completed package is providedwith side seals (see FIG. 13a) and an end seal (see FIG. 13b) whereinthe particular flap is adhered to at least two other underlying flaps,thereby increasing the strength of such seal.

If desired, one of the main panels such as panel 368 may be providedwith a perforated tear line 385 to facilitate opening of the completedpackage 8.

Machine controls and sequence of operation As described hereinabove,cylinder 14 is manually actuated at the start of the wrapping cycle tocompress packages P at station S. Back-up plate is adapted to exert anopposite but somewhat smaller force than that of compression plate 18.As the maximum selected pressure to be exerted is reached, the pressureforce actuating plate 130 will be exceeded forcing plate 130 slightlybackward. This slight movement of plate 130 actuates a inure-switch 386,actuating brake cylinders 360 and 362 to lock table 27 into adjustedposition. Switch 386 is also operative to interrupt the flow of air todoubleacting cylinder 14, thereby locking rod 16 thereof in its extendedposition.

Next the machine operator manually actuates cylinder 26 to extend rod 22thereof, advancing compressed packages P through the first wrappingsection F. When rod 22 reaches its limit of travel, cylinder 20 isdeactuated. To accomplish this, there is provided an auxiliary rod 388fixed at one end to cross-bracket and slidably mounted in a receivingtube 390. Tube 390 is as long as cylinder 20 while rod 388 isapproximately as long as rod 22. When rod 22 reaches its desiredextended position, a cam block 392 on rod 388 trips a switch 394, (seeFIG. 8). Actuation of switch 394 interrupts the actuation of cylinder 20to extend rod 22 and energizes cylinder 20 to retract rod 22.Simultaneously, switch 394 energizes cylinder 14 to retract its rod 16to permit free passage therepast of pusher plate 24. Likewise, actuationof switch 394 tie-energizes brake cylinders 36% and 362, releasing table27.

As plate 24 returns to its original position as shown in FIG. 2, eachextension 186 engages an associated bracket 188 on plates 162, slidingplates 162 and their associated bearing plates along key plates 168 backto their positions shown in FIG. 2.

When packages P are delivered to station T against end wall 67 by pusherplate 24, they trip the operating arm 400 of switch 402, arm 460 beingdisposed in their path of travel against wall 67 through anaccommodating opening 404 therein. This completes a circuit through asuitable time delay mechanism (not shown) to actuate cylinder 72,extending rod '74 thereof to transfer packages P from station T tosection G. The time delay mechanism is employed to ensure that rod 22and plate 24 have started their return before rod 74 is extended.However, to prevent springs 119 from urging packages P out of properalignment in station G when the packages are released by plate 24 as itreturns, switch 402 is operative to immediately actuate brake cylinder359, holding end wall 67 in position until packages P have beentransferred to section G.

If desired, end wall 67 may extend into section G, past plows 184 and112, thus maintaining the proper completed package dimension as thepartially-wrapped packages move from section F into and through sectionG.

At the end of the transfer operation, plate 76 is adapted to engage amicro-switch 406 which deactuates cylinder 72, thereby retracting rod 74and de-energizing cylinder 359 since braking is no longer needed aspackages P are confined against side plows 104 and 112.

Modification of FIGS. 14 and 15 In the embodiment of the invention shownin FIGS. 14 and 15 the top flaps 46 and 43 and bottom flaps 38 and 40are folded into position by means of rotatable folding elements ratherthan plow elements. It has been found that such devices are preferablewhere the packages P are not of truly rectangular shape; such ascompressed packages of flour, sugar and the like which have roundededges.

In this embodiment, packages P are compressed as heretofore and advancedinto the first wrapping section F of the modified form of machinedesignated generally Flaps 34 and 36 are folded into position asheretofore by engagement with the front sections 502 and 504- plowmembers 506 and 508 respectively. Packages P are confined between plows506 and 508 as adhesive applying devices 510 and 512 apply adhesive asheretofore in the first embodiment to the underside of flaps 46 and 48respectively.

Continued advance of the packages P through section F of machine 500,moves packages P between opposed side walls or guides 5&7 and 509 andbrings bottom flaps 34 and 36 into contact with opposed lower rotatablefolding elements 514 and 516 respectively which, as illustrated, arepreferably smooth bowl-like metal disks. Folding elements 514 and 516are adapted to fold their associated flaps 34 and 36 smooth and neatlyagainst the sides of packages P. While folding elements 514 and 516 arecompleting the folding of flaps 34 and 36, top flaps 46 and 48 areengaged by opposed, upper rotatable folding elements 518 and 520 similarto elements 514, 516 and which are operative to fold their respectiveflaps 46 and 48 downwardly into overlying relationship with flaps 34 and36 against the sides of packages P.

Folding elements 514 and 516 are mounted on separate support shafts 522and 524 respectively suitably supported in bearings 526 and 52S andjoined in common driving relationship by means of a universal joint 53%.In like manner, folding elements 518 and 520 are mounted on separateshafts S32 and 534 suitably supported in bearings 536 and 546 and joinedin common driving relationship by means of a universal joint 542.

Shaft 524 is provided with a sprocket 544 driven by chain 546 from asuitable power source; such as an electric motor (not shown) to rotateelements 514 and 516 together to fold their associated flaps 34 and 36.Likewise shaft 534 is provided with a sprocket 548 driven by chain 55%from a suitable power source (not shown) to fold flaps 46 and 48.

To adjust the position of the folding elements in response to the inwardmovement of plate 18, rack section 252 of bracket 25% again is inmeshing engagement with pinion 254 on shaft 256.

In this embodiment, section F includes a pair of support plates 552 and554, with plate 554 movable toward and away from plate 52 to adjust theposition of its associated members in response to the particularcompression of the packages. To adjust plate 54, there is provided apair of pinion gears 556 on shaft 256 in meshing engagement withassociated rack sections 553 of a bracket 566 secured to the underfaceof plate 554. Brackets 560 also are mounted for lateral travel by meansof rollers 562 in an associated channel 564 fixed to stationaryunderplate 566 mounted to the main machine frame.

In like manner the adhesive-applying device 510 is adjustably mounted toadjust the position of device 516 also in response to the compression ofpackages. This is accomplished by a pinion gear 568 mounted to androtatable with shaft 256. Gear 568 is in turn, in meshing engagementwith a rack section 570 on the main support bracket 572 of device 510.Bracket 572 is secured to a carriage 574 having rollers 586 adaptingcarriage 574 for lateral movement in associated channels 578 fixed toplate 5'66 to adjust the position of device 510.

In operation, when shaft 256 is rotated, as described heretofore,pinions 556 and 568 are also rotated, moving their associated racksections 558 and 570 and brackets 560 and 570 laterally in theirassociated channels 564 and 576 respectively. Since brackets 57-1} arefixed to plate 554 this moves plate 554 relative to its associated plate552. In like manner, since bracket 572 is fixed to carriage 574, thismoves device 510 with plate 554 and plow 506 and side wall 507 toadjusted position in responsive to the compression of packages P.

It will be understood that means must also be provided for adjusting theposition of folding elements 514 and 518 for proper folding of theirassociated flaps. To accomplish this, elements 514 and 518 are eachslidably keyed on their associated shafts 522 and 532 as by elongatedkey means 580 formed in the disk-mounting hub 582 and shafts 522 and532. This results in a driving connection between shafts 522, 532 anddisks 514, 518 respectively. Shafts 522 and 532 are mounted in suitablehearings on the main frame. However, plate 554 includes a yoke bracket584 depending downwardly from its underface and disposed in a suitableannular groove 586 in hub 582 of disk 514. Thus as plate 554 is moved asdescribed heretofore, yoke bracket 584 in groove 586 slides hub 582 anddisk 514 along shaft 522 to adjusted folding position. In like manner,plate 55-4 also includes a yoke bracket 538 on its upper surface withthe yoke portion thereof positioned in an annnular groove 590 in hub 582of disk 518 to move disk 518 with plate 554 to adjusted foldingposition.

In this embodiment, it was found desirable to move the folding elementssuch as plow 506, side wall 507 and folding disks 514 and 518 a distanceequal to the distance traveled by plate 18. This was then accomplishedby forming pinion gears 556 substantially identical to pinion gear 254to optain a one-to-one ratio therebetween. As in the first describedembodiment, adhesive applying device 510 need then be moved onlyone-half the distance of the folding elements which is accomplished byforming gear 568 of only one-half the diameter of gears 556 and 554.

Modification of FIG. 16

If it is desired, rather than have only one set of Wrapping and securingelements move in response to the inward movement of plate 18 as in theforegoing embodiments of the invention, the wrapping and securingelements on both sides of the path of travel of packages P may beconstructed and arranged to move toward their opposite number inresponse to movement of plate 1?. The embodiment of the inventionillustrated in FIG. 16 is adapted to operate on this latter principle.In the embodiment of FIG. 16 wherein like numerals represent like partsin the foregoing embodiments, plate 18 and its related plate elements,such as, bearing plate 160, mounting plate 162, and key plate 168 aremounted for movement into and out of engagement with packages to becompressed by master cylinder 14 as heretofore described in connectionwith the foregoing embodiments. In like manner as heretofore, plate 18is opposed by plate 136 and its associated elements; such as bearingplate 160, mounting plate 162 and key plate 168.

As heretofore, plate 18 is provided with a downwardly depending bracket600 which includes a rack section 602 slidably supported on support 603a section 605 of the main machine frame. Rack 602 is in meshingengagement with a pinion 604 secured to and rotatable with a supportshaft 666 which is mounted in suitable bearing in the main machine frame(not shown) and extends into the first wrapping section for reasonhereinbelow set forth. Mounted on shaft 666 is a sprocket 698 aboutwhich is trained an endless chain 610. The other end of chain 610 passesaround sprocket 612 carried by and rotatable with shaft 614 preferablylocated on the center-line CL of the machine as shown in FIG. 16. Shaft'614 includes a second sprocket 616 thereon about which is trainedanother endless chain 618. Chain 618 in turn passes around sprocket 620mounted on and rotatable with another shaft 622 adjacent plate 130.Shaft 622 in turn is provided with a pinion 624 in meshing engagementwith another pinion 626 carried by a support shaft 628 and rotatabletherewith. Shaft 628 like shaft 606 is mounted in suitable bearings inthe main machine frame (not shown) and extends into the first Wrappingsection of the machine in spaced parallel relationships with shaft 606.Preferably shafts 622 and 606 are offset from the center-line CL intheir respective directions an equal distance to provide, with shaft614, a drive system substantially symmetrical about center-line CL.

Pinion 626, in turn, is in meshing engagement with a rack member 630slidably supported on support 631 on section 605. Rack 63% is in turnsecured to a bracket section 632 fixed to and downwardly depending fromplate 130.

In operation, when during the cyclic operation of the machine, cylinder14 is actuated moving plate 18 and its associated members into thecompression station S to cornpress packages positioned threat, rack 60?.causes pinion 694 meshing therewith, shaft 666 rotatable with pinion604, and sprocket 668 rotatable with shaft 606, all to rotatecounter-clockwise as shown in FIG. 16.

Such rotation of sprocket 608 advances chain 610 to advance in thedirection of the arrows, FIG. 16. This in turn rotates sprockets 612,and 616. and their associated shaft 614 counter-clockwise, advancingchain 618 in the direction of the arrows, FIG. 16.

The advance of chain 618 in the direction of the arrows, FIG. 16 in likemanner causes its associated sprocket 623, shaft 622 and pinion 624 torotate counter-clockwise. However, pinion 624 is in meshing engagementwith another pinion 626 such that counter-clockwise rotation of pinion624 results in clockwise rotation of pinion 67.6 and its associatedsupport shaft 628.

Since pinion 628 is also in meshing engagement with rack 630 on bracket632, clockwise rotation thereof, advances rack 630 and thereby plate13-9 and its associated elements into compression station S toward plate18.

When cylinder 14 is actuated as heretofore described to withdraw plate18 from operative compression position in station S, the foregoingmovements of the pinion chains and shafts are reversed to return plate136 in like manner to non-operative position.

It will be understood that the several pinions and sprockets are soconstructed and arranged and their respective support shafts sopositioned relative to the machine center-line CL that plates 18 and 130advance an equal distance into station S.

Further, in this embodiment, only one air cylinder 1-4 need be employedto compress the packages. Just as plates 18 and 130 reach theirpro-selected compression of packages at station S as determined bycylinder 14, a time delay valve (not shown) actuates the brake cylinders360 and 362 and interrupts the flow of air to cylinder 14 as heretofore.The time delay valve is employed to permit final compression of packagesto be achieved.

To move the Wrapping elements on each side of the machine (not shown) acorresponding distance in response to the movement of plates 18 and 130and thereby retain compressed package size while wrapping and to achievea tight wrap, shafts 628 and 696 extend into the first wrapping sectionof the machine and actuate a drive system for such wrapping elementssimilar in construction and operation to the system for plates 18 and130 in this embodiment so as to move the wrapping elements on each sideof the machine an equal distance toward or away from each other incorrespondence with the movement of their associated plates 18 and 130.Detailed description thereof is omitted in the interest of brevity.

Since the reference plane for this embodiment of the invention is themachine center-line CL rather than one stationary side of the machine asin the embodiments of H68. ll5, the wrapping sheet trough and associatedadhesive applicators in the present embodiment may be 15 symmetricallyfixcd in position relative to center-line CL.

Thus, in the embodiment of FIG. 16, there is disclosed a machine whereina tightly-wrapped, unitized cellular package is achieved by means ofoppositely-movable compression elements and wrapping members with afixed sheet trough and adhesive applications.

It will be understood that, if desired, compression plate 18 may, ifdesired, be adapted to compress packages P to a fixed width. However,spring-biased end wall 67 is adapted, by suitable selection of springs1'19 and place ment of stop cam 392 on rod 388, to cooperate with pusherplate 24 to apply a selected pressure to packages P at transfer stationT compressing packages P thereat with a predetermined end pressure. Insuch instance, it is preferable for end wall 67 to extend into section Gas described hcreinbefore. Thus, the machine of the present invention isadapted to compress packages to at least one variable dimension toensure a tightly-wrapped self-supporting finished package.

Thus, the machine of the present invention is operative to compress aplurality of individual packages into a selfsupporting cellular,unitized structure and to wrap a single-ply sheet of flexible wrappingmaterial tightly about such packages P to form a finishedtightly-Wrapped single-ply shipping container or package.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine for Wrapping a plurality of individual packages togetherin a sheet of flexible wrapping material, the combination comprisingmeans for movement against said packages for compressing said packageswith a selected compressing force into a self-supporting, cellular,unitized structure, means for draping a sheet of flexible wrappingmaterial about said compressed packages, means for maintaining saidpackages in compressed condition during the draping of said sheettherea'bout, means for wrapping said sheet tightly about said compressedpackages, means for maintaining said packages in compressed conditionduring the wrapping thereof, means for adhering said sheet intight-wrapping disposition about said compressed packages to form acompleted single package of said compressed individual packages, meansmovably mounting at least selected wrapping means and means for movingsaid movably mounted wrapping means in response to the movement of saidcompression means against said packages whereby said wrapping means ofsaid machine are properly disposed in said machine to tightly wrap saidsheet about said compressed packages.

2. The machine as defined in claim 1 including means for advancing saidcompressed packages through said machine, means for supporting saidsheet of material in the path of advance of said packages for drapingthereabout, means movably mounting said sheet support means and selectedadhering means and means for moving said sheet support means along withsaid selected wrapping and adhering means in response to the movement ofsaid compression means to effect proper disposition of said sheetrelative to the advance of said packages thereby ensuring a properlywrapped package.

3. The machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said compression meansincludes a pair of oppositely-movable compression elements and whereinat least one of said movable wrapping means is associated with each ofsaid compression elements, and including common operating means for saidcompression elements and said wrapping means whereby each of saidmovable members is advanced a corresponding distance to said othermovable members.

t. In a machine for wrapping a plurality of individual packages togetherin a sheet of flexible wrapping material, the combination comprisingmeans for movement against said packages for compressing said packageswith a selected compressed force into a self-supporting, cellular,unitized structure, means for advancing said com-

